YOUNGSTERS across East Lancashire will be encouraged to be safe online with a dedicated day next month.

Safer Internet Day is organised by Insafe in February each year to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially among children and young people.

It comes after photographs of Lancashire schoolchildren were copied from social networking sites and posted on a Russian website used by paedophiles.

Pictures of the teenagers in school uniform were taken from online profiles without permission and uploaded to the foreign site.

Pupils from Witton Park Academy in Blackburn, Longridge High School and St Ceilica’s RC High School, also in Longridge, have been featured on the site.

While the photographs are not indecent, most are accompanied by inappropriate comments from users across the world, which show they are being used for sexual gratification.

Safer Internet Day will be marked on February 10, for the 11th year.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “For many people, the internet has become a big part of daily life and we would encourage people to use it and enjoy it but to do so safely.

“This includes using different passwords for different sites and using secure sites you know and trust.

“It’s also important to remember that people you meet online may not be who they claim to be.

“Keep your personal information safe and don’t share details such as your address, date of birth and other personal information.”

Last summer pupils from three Rossendale primary schools learnt about internet safety by watching a drama presented by Year 10 students from Haslingden High School.

The specially written interactive drama was presented to year six pupils from Britannia Primary School, St James’ Primary School in Haslingden and Northern Primary School in Weir.

Coun Ken Hind, who represents Longridge on Ribble Valley Borough Council, has dealt with many safeguarding and internet-related cases through his role as a barrister in Lancashire.

He said: “We have to make sure that our children are as safe as possible online.

“Extra care should be take on social networking sites because some people will find any way they can to take advantage of young people.”

Insafe is a European network, comprised of 31 national awareness centres. Every national centre implements awareness and educational campaigns, runs a helpline, and works closely with young people.